Pre-entries only for the 30 kilometre race and close on 14 October 2018. Late entries for the 15 kilometre race only are accepted at the start from 06h00.

HARRISMITH MOUNTAIN 15 KM ROAD AND 30 KM TRAIL RUN

DIRECTIONS

Race Start Coordinates: -28.272769310976294, 29.13495361804962

Race Finish Coordinates: None

HARRISMITH MOUNTAIN 15 KM ROAD AND 30 KM TRAIL RUN

THE RUN

What can I say about this mountain race except that it is tough, tough, tough. The first three kilometres are run in town. From there it is a gruelling climb up the slopes of the Platberg. Stock up well at the first watering point for it is a tough climb to the next water table at ‘Bloekombos’ at the base of One-Man Pass. If you are on the hunt for a silver medal do not get caught behind the slower runners here as there is very little chance of overtaking until you reach the top of the Platberg.

Once on top there is a one kilometre run along the top before you come to the knee-jerking, quad-ripping downhill run. After the Zig-Zag the route leads to the “Klein Akkerbos” where the next water table will be. Then you will run on a single track back to the town. Your legs will take a beating here, over the tar road bridge, but the crowd support will spur you on. There are very clear directions throughout the route and the golden rule is: ‘Follow the white stones’. After you leave the town the race is run on a footpath. At the top of the mountain there is a control point where times for the first man and woman are taken. In this race the first half should be taken more slowly than the second.

This race started in 1922 as a wager. Major A.E. Belcher bet a local inhabitant that he could scale “that small little hill of yours”, the Platberg, in less than an hour. The bet was on and the major finished with eight minutes to spare. Afterwards, Major Belcher presented a floating trophy as a prize and in 1927; the Belcher Cup was awarded to the first athlete to reach the summit of the Platberg. The late, great Wally Hayward said, ”Never again. It's the toughest obstacle in the whole world”. Dare one argue that this is one of the most difficult 15 kilometre races in the world? This race will be staged for the 98th time in 2019. The 15 kilometre race starts at 09h30.